tinting/painting chrome

[Monkeyman]

I have a black scoot. I love chrome but I want to do something a bit different. I've solo'ed it out so I was thinking (fake) leather bag/rear fender chaps with studs (or not) and black chrome rails (all 3). I still want them to look like chrome (same shine, etc) but just subdued a bit. I don't think paint adhere's to chrome well and scuffing them up to paint them would take away from the "chrome shine". Something similar to this >> http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180730372288&viewitem=&clk_rvr_id=271315194272&rvr_id=271315194272&mfe=sidebar << but more shiny than subdued.

What are my options? Keep in mind I'm che, er...frugal so taking something to a shop to get real black chrome is probably out of the question. I'd rather spend my money elsewhere.

Thoughts? Pics of some "home made" black chrome? Anything?

[Hacksaw]

powder coat possibly

[crazygene49]

Maybe this: http://duplicolor.com/products/shadow/

[cactusjack]

Strictly my opinion, but painted chrome usually looks just like somebody tried to paint over chrome. It's your bike, do what you want, but you could decrease its resale value.

[Monkeyman]

Not painted as much as tinted. Sort of a combination of the black and the chrome. I wonder how much powder coating is? Or perhaps I'll just do the generic black and chrome thing and be happy.

[rickyboy]

Not painted as much as tinted. Sort of a combination of the black and the chrome. I wonder how much powder coating is? Or perhaps I'll just do the generic black and chrome thing and be happy.


I've had similar thoughts on doing something to the chrome on my '06. I'm going to take a piece of chrome off the bike and see what it looks like with a copper/brass on it, this winter. :shrug:

[Top Cat]

Strictly my opinion, but painted chrome usually looks just like somebody tried to paint over chrome. It's your bike, do what you want, but you could decrease its resale value.

If you look at the handle on my saddlebag it looks just like any other painted surface. You just have to have it sand blasted first.

I tried to put a pic on here but it is one of the things I haven't figured out yet on this new forum.
I'm getting there.
http://www.vulcanbagger.com/forums/C:%5CDocuments%20and%20Settings%5CMy%20Computer%5C My%20Doc

[ringadingh]

Id get it plated myself, all of the paint like chrome finishes look pretty poor from what Id seen.

[yoda]

Just a thought, but if you could find someone who is a graphic arts or sign maker, they could try to wrap them in tinted vinyl. That way you could get the look, and change it back if you wanted. Any installer who does 3M invisible bras or vinyl wraps on vehicles should be able to help, or would know someone who can. The future of painted panels in the automotive industry may well be wraps rather than paint.

[Nubbs]

Monkeyman, here is a link to a shop in Indy that does powder coating. Pretty reasonable prices. http://www.indypowdercoating.com/

[Jared]

Yep. I've leave it as is or do it right. Painting it's not gonna look good in my opinion.

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I was thinking along the lines of Yoda. What about a tinted shrink wrap type material. If it didn't look good it could always be peeled off. Just a thought.

[yoda]

http://www.avsstore.com/3M-1080-Scotchprint-Brushed-Titanium-Vinyl-1080-BR230.htm
That is for brushed titanium, others are available.
Check here for some pics of film installed on various items, including something as small as an emblem.
http://www.autovinylsolutions.com/Gallery.php
Just a couple examples, but I am thinking I could wrap the bike instead of painting it. Then it could go back to stock if needed for resale.

[nightflight1]

My 05 Nomad has considerable rust on the left side but the right side has maintained a good chrome finish. Must be a reason for this but I sure don't have the solution. However, I am considering using the 3m product to cover the chrome on the Nomad. Might look good with the black carbon fiber look.

[Monkeyman]

I'm REALLY not into carbon fiber. I thought about a vinyl wrap but the parts I want to do would make that difficult at best (bag/fender racks, etc). I'm just looking for something different on a budget. I don't need a show bike (I'd be afraid to ride it). I just want to stand out a bit.

Thanks for the tips. I think I'll call the place in Indy, Nubbs. Maybe they'll have some interesting ideas, too.

[Outdoor_funguy]

"You might want to visit gatorprints (https://gatorprints.com/3m-vinyl-wrap/), you can request for a quote plus they have a lot of vinyl wraps with lots of colors to choose from.
Brushed Titanium (BR230) (https://gatorprints.com/shop/3m-wrap-vinyl/60-3m-1080-brushed-titanium-br230/)"

[DragonLady58]

I'm along the lines of MonkeyMan! I love a all black Scoot! My ElectraGlide, who was named 'Blackie', was totally blacked out. BUT, to keep from being just a total flat black bike, it had depth.
Frame was gloss black, engine/trans cases were powdercoated satin black. engine covers/primary/trans cover were all black chrome. Forks, headlight housing, dashhousing were all black chrome also.
Rims were powdercoated gloss black. All else was powdercoated flat black or painted flat black....
Just the bolts were all brushed SS, some fasteners were chrome....or nichol plated. Handlebars were sandblasted, powdercoated gloss black.
Tripletrees were aniodized black.
The only chrome pieces on it were a chrome front fender tip, front fender rail, a set of saddlebag rails, and a rear fender tip. All the leather was black with the black studs.
The contrast between all the diff. varieties of black drew alot of the poeples attention. I was hot as hell to ride during the summer though....

[Top Cat]

You people know this is a 5 year old thread, right :D

[DragonLady58]

Oh, yea, keep it alive and kickin'!

[hank43]

I'm REALLY not into carbon fiber. I thought about a vinyl wrap but the parts I want to do would make that difficult at best (bag/fender racks, etc). I'm just looking for something different on a budget. I don't need a show bike (I'd be afraid to ride it). I just want to stand out a bit.

Thanks for the tips. I think I'll call the place in Indy, Nubbs. Maybe they'll have some interesting ideas, too.

Looked into plastidip? some of their colors look like painted chrome.......cheap, and peelable -

hank43

[Monkeyman]

Looked into plastidip? some of their colors look like painted chrome.......cheap, and peelable

Well....first, I sold my Nomad years ago :) . Second, I've tried PlastiDip on my Fiero. Worthless crap and I can't see that ANY of their products would have a chrome like shine. Even with their "Glossifier" and "Metalizer"won't shine it up much. After all, it's still a rubberized finish.